You’ve been in business for years, you’ve got a solid Profit and Loss Statement, so why is your bank asking for an updated business plan before providing you with a loan? Well, to simplify it, even though you’ve known your cousin Sharon for 30+ years, you probably wouldn’t loan her thousands of dollars without asking her what she plans to use it for, how risky a venture it is, and how she plans to pay it back. It’s kind of the same theory. Even though your company isn’t a start-up, you’ve been known in the community for years, there is still a risk for the bank in lending your business the money. Continue reading “Why your bank wants to see an updated business plan before giving you a business loan”

While there’s no concrete answer or definitive number on how much you should be stashing away for your children’s college fund, there are some guidelines that can help keep you on track. Keep in mind that the price of tuition, room and board, and fees are always in flux, and you may need to adjust accordingly as these costs continue to rise. There is also a significant cost difference between public and private schools. According to College Board, the current cost of a four-year in-state public university is estimated to be $20,770 per year versus an annual cost of $46,950 for a four-year private college. Continue reading “Saving for college – how much is enough?”